A TEENAGER has beaten serious illness to earn a top honour for sporting achievements.

Despite suffering from cystic fibrosis, Oliver Rothwell, 15, last year gained a black belt in the Korean martial art of Tae Kwon-Do.

Now his sporting dedication has been officially recognised with an annual achievement award from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Oliver went to the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London to attend the nationally broadcast awards ceremony.

He was picked from a shortlist of nominees and received his trophy from former England rugby captain, Martin Johnson.

The St Nicholas High School student, from Castle, joined the North-wich Tae Kwon-Do club four years ago and his instructor, Tae Kwon-Do world champion Ruth Chare, said: 'It takes at least three-and-a-half years of training before you can even go in for your black belt.

'On top of that Oliver was in and out of hospital. It was a supreme effort.

His mother, Julie, said : 'Oliver's brother, who is at university, and his sister who works abroad managed to come along and we all had a really good time.'

'On the night we met lots of celebrities and other nominees.

'It has given him back his independence. We have driven him everywhere for a long time because he gets breathless, but now he rides to school on his bike.